A course in construction skills has given unemployed people in North Lanarkshire the tools required to rebuild their lives through training.

Celebrating their success, twenty-four people graduated from the Second Chance Apprenticeship Programme earlier this month having completed their training and work placement.

North Lanarkshire’s Working Second Chance Apprenticeship Programme, provides training and support for young people to help them take the first steps into a sustainable career in the construction industry.

The programme has seen more than 110 people complete the course over the last three years, 91 of which have gone on to secure an apprenticeship with local companies.

The initiative is part of North Lanarkshire’s commitment to reducing long term unemployment in the area N North Lanarkshire’s Working has been established to address the issue and to support as many people as possible back into work.

The Second Choice Apprenticeship Programme is being run in partnership with Motherwell College, and is aimed at young people aged 18-24, to provide basic trade skills in a range of crafts from plastering to joinery.

Lynn Gow, engagement officer for North Lanarkshire’s Working, said: “Following an initial interview by construction professionals, successful candidates begin a pre-apprenticeship course at Motherwell College.

“The apprentice programme also gives participants the opportunity to demonstrate how much they really want to work – it’s just as important for them to show a positive work ethic and attitude to learning, as well as an ability to do the hands-on manual labour.

“When we’re confident the trainee has all the skills required, they are then placed with a local company to show they have the capabilities to complete an apprenticeship. We’re delighted with the outstanding success of this programme over the last three years and our newly skilled workforce is proving extremely popular with local construction businesses.”

Siobhan Clarke, (24) from Wishaw had been unemployed for three months and had previously worked as a cleaner in Motherwell College within a team of 30 women and one man.

She had secretly harboured a passion for construction and was interested in student life at the college. While unemployed she contacted Routes to Work Ltd in 2008 and it was through her key worker, someone assigned to support her back into employment, that she found out about Lanarkshire’s Working’s Second Chance Programme.

Siobhan took the plunge and decided to find out more about the courses on offer. She attended an interview for the second chance course at the college and before she knew it, she was on her way to changing her future.

Siobhan, said: “I was interested in the apprenticeship course as it gave me some knowledge of working within the construction industry and give me an opportunity to find out what trade I’m better at and which type of apprenticeship to focus on.”

After success at interview, Siobhan soon made her mark on lecturers and she took the opportunity of a placement with local company, Need a Hand of Bellshill. The company maintain properties for a number of letting agents, so Siobhan has been getting great experience of a number of trades and is proving her worth as an all-rounder.

Siobhan worked hard in her role as an apprentice and the company was so delighted with her performance that they offered her a full-time post.

Siobhan, said: “I really love my job – it’s so varied and I can be in a different place each day carrying out various jobs. It’s great just to take control of your live do something you’ve always dreamed of – I can do it, anyone can.”